Anselmo Valencia Tori Amphitheater

Readers Pick

This should win as the best-named venue--but we digress. In truth, there is nothing like seeing good music in a good outdoor venue, and this one does the trick. In stark contrast to Phoenix's Desert Sky/Blockbuster/Cricket/whatever it's called this year Pavilion, the 5,000-seat AVA is everything that place (and Phoenix) is not; most important is its sense of space and intimacy. Reserved seats under the roof are close enough to feel special, while the general-admission lawn seating is a great place to spread out without feeling miles away. The folks in charge have also consistently brought in top acts at reasonable prices. It's not exactly located in midtown--but it sure beats driving to Phoenix.